DEADLINE: 30 April 2022
The Secretariat of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) has launched a special scholarship programme to fund eligible tertiary students from the SADC Member States to pursue full-time taught Masters, Doctoral, Postdoctoral Studies or Research progammes.
SADC Annual Scholarships are intended to honour SADC Founders and increase the level of citizens' awareness of the history of Southern Africa's liberation, cooperation, and regional integration, along with recognizing the importance of their contributions to the SADC.
The research scholarship is offered to post-graduate researchers in any discipline (with a master's degree as a minimum requirement), who intend to pursue doctoral or post-doctoral research.
SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS
The scholarship covers:
- A monthly living allowance of USD 1,000.00 (R15 433.50) to cover essential expenditure paid to the students’ official bank accounts;
- Tuition fees;
- Health insurance;
- An economy class return airfare; and
- Housing allowance.
Please note: A first instalment of the scholarship is only awarded after successful completion of the University registration process and the submission of all documents according to the required administrative procedures.
There will be a total of five (5) annual scholarships, each up to USD 20,000.00 (R308 670) : two (2) for doctoral studies and three (3) for master's level research.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible, applicants must pursue a masters degree inSocial sciences which specifically address:
(i) historical dimensions of development and peace in the SADC region since colonialism;
(ii) regional economic and political integration and
(iii) democracy
Other criteria:
- Be a citizen of a SADC Member State;
- Return to country of citizenship upon completion of the studies;
- Hold an appropriate undergraduate degree from a recognised university in a relevant field for a Master’s programme;
- Hold a Master’s Degree in a related subject that will enable you to gain entry onto a Doctoral and/or Postdoctoral programme at a university in the SADC region; and
- SADC Secretariat Staff and their immediate families are not eligible to apply for these scholarships;
- For Master’s Programmes, Male applicants must be at least 30 years old and younger while female applicants must be at least 35 years old and younger;
- For Doctoral Programmes, Male applicants must be at least 35 years old and younger while female applicants must be at least 40 years old and younger.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications can only be submitted through the SADC National Contact Points at Member States level.
Application documents:
- Certified copies of academic certificates and transcripts;
- Certified copies of Passport or National I.D. card indicating citizenship;
- Recent coloured passport-size photograph;
- Detailed CV with names and contacts of three referees;
- Copy of admission letter from a recognized University in the SADC region;
- Two (2) Reference Letters with contact details; and
- An essay of not more than 500 words that explains why the candidate has chosen his/her particular field of study and its importance to the memories of the SADC Founders.
SELECTION PROCESS
Entries will be initially screened and judged by the Ministries of Education in all respective SADC Member States and consequently submit the top two (2) applications per each Member State to SADC Secretariat for adjudication at regional level and selection of the top five (5) overall winners. Entry through adjudication by the three (3) selected SADC panelists/judges, and the decision of the Secretariat shall be final. Entries from lecturers/ tutors and employees of tertiary schools will not be accepted, and shall not be entered for adjudication.
The applicants should submit their formal application which should include the following:
Undergraduate degree from a recognized university in a relevant field;
Certified copies of academic certificates and transcripts;
Certified copies of Passport or National I.D. card indicating citizenship;
Recent colored passport-size photograph;
Detailed CV with names and contacts of three referees;
Copy of admission letter from a recognized University in the SADC region;
Two (2) Reference Letters with contact details; and
An essay of not more than 500 words that explains why the candidate has chosen his/her particular field of study and its importance to the memories of the SADC Founders